License Fees Could Go Up For Maryland Hunters

A bill to boost Maryland hunting license fees is returning to the General Assembly. (AP Photo)

A bill to boost Maryland hunting license fees is returning to the General Assembly when it reconvenes on Wednesday.

The Cumberland Times-Newsreported over the weekend that the nonprofit Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation is leading an effort to raise the cost of a resident adult hunting license from $24.50 to $44.50.

Last year, a bill to increase the fee to $40 was defeated.

Foundation spokesman Bill Miles says this year's bill would also increase the nonresident adult license fee to $150.

The bill would create a new state wildlife management fund. The money would come from license fees, fines for hunting violations, and new fees for using state wildlife management areas for non-hunting purposes.

The foundation says the last increase in the cost of a resident adult hunting license was 23 years ago.